All Items & Collectibles in MIO: Memories in Orbit

Complete guide to Coating Components, Old Cores, Candles, and key items

Protective Coating Components (Health Upgrades)

Protective Coating is MIO's health system. Each layer absorbs one hit. Find Coating Components throughout The Vessel to increase maximum health. Combine with Protective Overlay modifier for additional layers.

Starting Health: 3 layers
Maximum Health: 9+ layers (with all components + modifiers)

Where to Find:

  • Hidden chests in side areas
  • Reward for exploring off-main-path
  • Behind ability-gated areas (return with new abilities)
  • Purchased from Mel (limited quantity)
  • Secret rooms revealed by environmental clues

Tips:

  • Check behind breakable walls
  • Use Striders to climb unusual surfaces
  • Glide to distant platforms visible from main path
  • Listen for audio cues indicating hidden areas
  • Return to early areas with late-game abilities

Old Cores (Rare Currency)

Rare crafting material required for purchasing premium modifiers from Mel. Limited quantity in game - plan purchases carefully.

Total Available: ~15-20
Uses: Purchase high-tier modifiers (typically cost 1-2 Old Cores + Nacre)

Locations:

  1. Dwellings - Hidden chest behind cracked wall
  2. Feral Undergrowth - Top of tree area (requires Hairpin + Glide)
  3. Haven - Secret room accessed via wall climb
  4. Foundations - Behind lava fall (requires Flowing Steps)
  5. Metropolis - Vertical shaft dead-end
  6. Lab - Puzzle reward
  7. The Vaults - Post-boss chest
  8. Redacted - Behind time-trial platforming
  9. Crucible - Hidden in false floor
  10. Promenade - Requires all abilities to access

Priority Purchases:

  1. Protective Overlay (200 Nacre + 1 Old Core) - HIGHEST PRIORITY
  2. Effective Dismantlement (200 Nacre + 1 Old Core)
  3. Matrix slot expansions

The 12 Candles (Secret Collectibles)

Hidden collectibles scattered throughout The Vessel. Collecting all 12 unlocks: Defective Core modifier (most powerful in game), Secret ending boss fight, Special dialogue with Shard of The Eye, 100% completion achievement

Candle #1 - Dwellings

Behind starting area, requires backtracking with Wall Climb

Difficulty: ★☆☆☆☆

Candle #2 - Feral Undergrowth

Hidden in flower field, press Down+X through leaves

Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆

Candle #3 - Severed Spine

Near Shii, accessible after donating Nacre

Difficulty: ★☆☆☆☆

Candle #4 - Haven

Tree canopy top, requires Sail + Hairpin combo

Difficulty: ★★★☆☆

Candle #5 - Metropolis

Hidden behind NPC dialogue trigger area

Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆

Candle #6 - Foundations

Atmos boss arena, accessible after fight

Difficulty: ★★★☆☆

Candle #7 - Promenade

Timed platforming challenge

Difficulty: ★★★★☆

Candle #8 - Redacted

Vlad boss area secret

Difficulty: ★★★☆☆

Candle #9 - Vaults

Behind purple barrier (requires Oath to Ember puzzle)

Difficulty: ★★★★★

Candle #10 - Manufactory

Machinery puzzle reward

Difficulty: ★★★☆☆

Candle #11 - Lab

Post-Anra secret room

Difficulty: ★★★☆☆

Candle #12 - Crucible

Final candle, deepest area

Difficulty: ★★★★☆

After Collecting All Candles:

  1. Return to Shard of The Eye NPC
  2. Receive Defective Core modifier (30 matrix slots)
  3. Unlock secret ending path

Key Story Items

Pearl Fragments

4 Required for True Ending

  • The Blood Defeat specific boss in Crucible
  • The Eye Found in Vaults after puzzle completion
  • The Breath Defeat Nabuu boss in Haven
  • The Hand Hidden in Metropolis, requires all abilities

Progress Keys

  • Silo Access Badge Defeat Egis, opens Silo area
  • Aviaries Passepartout Defeat Flora, access Aviaries (Dodge ability)
  • Harvester Ability Defeat Crow, increases Nacre drops

Utility Items

Network Gates

Save points and modifier management stations. Found in every major area.

  • Save game progress
  • Equip/unequip modifiers
  • Fast travel between gates (unlocked mid-game)
  • Respawn location after death

Nacre Basins

Healing stations that restore full Protective Coating. Found before boss arenas and in challenging platforming areas. Single-use until next Network Gate rest.

Crystallisers

Convert collected Nacre into Nacre Droplets (banked currency). Essential to prevent Nacre loss on death.